Yakima Peak

Summary

Yakima Peak is a 6,226-ft (1,898 m) summit located on the eastern border of Mount Rainier National Park. It is also on the shared border of Pierce County and Yakima County in Washington state. Yakima Peak is situated northwest of Tipsoo Lake and west of Chinook Pass on the crest of the Cascade Range. Yakima Peak is a major triple divide point with precipitation runoff draining into tributaries of the White River, Cowlitz River, and Yakima River.[1] Its nearest higher neighbor is Deadwood Peak, 0.59 mi (0.95 km) to the north.[1] The name Yakima Peak honors the Yakima Tribe of eastern Washington state.[3] From Chinook Pass, a short scramble up a gully on the north side leads to a flat summit with unobstructed views of Mount Rainier and Naches Peak.

Yakima Peak
Yakima Peak seen from Tipsoo Lake
Highest point
Elevation6,226 ft (1,898 m)[1]
Prominence426 ft (130 m)[1]
Parent peakDeadwood Peak (6,280 ft)
Isolation0.57 mi (0.92 km)[2]
Coordinates46°52′24″N 121°31′22″W / 46.873425°N 121.522849°W / 46.873425; -121.522849
Geography
Yakima Peak is located in Washington (state)
Yakima Peak
Yakima Peak
Location of Yakima Peak in Washington
Yakima Peak is located in the United States
Yakima Peak
Yakima Peak
Yakima Peak (the United States)
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountyPierce / Yakima
Protected areaMount Rainier National Park
Parent rangeCascades
Topo mapUSGS Chinook Pass
Climbing
Easiest routeScrambling class 3 north gully

Climate edit

Yakima Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[4] Most weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snow onto the Cascades. As a result, the west side of the Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall.[4] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.[4] During winter months, weather is usually cloudy, but due to high pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean that intensify during summer months, there is often little or no cloud cover during the summer.[4]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "Yakima Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. ^ "Yakima Peak - 6,226 WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  3. ^ "Yakima Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2018-08-10.
  4. ^ a b c d Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.

External links edit

  • Weather forecast: Yakima Peak
  • National Park Service web site: Mount Rainier National Park